As a learner: present participle can be used as the object complement, and that's the case here.
– CardinalMay 16 at 22:29

1

@Cardinal you're right about the choice. But I am afraid I've understood your explanation. Because on top of my head lead in this meaning licences a complement - a Preposition Phrase headed by to. There generally is no other complement.
– Man_From_IndiaMay 17 at 0:25